System and method for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products

ABSTRACT

A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products that includes a multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application device configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speed planting equipment. Each MLRA product application device comprises a common housing for a number of low rate agricultural product input assemblies.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/112,660, filed Aug. 25, 2018, which is a continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/107,374, filed Aug. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,251,337, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,652filed Jun. 23, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,064,327, which claims benefitsof a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,555 filed Jul. 3,2015.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660 filed Aug. 25, 2018 is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/981,289 filed May16, 2018, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/508,145 filed May 18, 2018, and is a continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/614,547, filed Jun. 5, 2017, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/521,908, filed Oct.23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, which is a continuation in partof patent application Ser. No. 14/468,973, filed Aug. 26, 2014, andclaims benefits of a U.S. Provisional U.S. Application No. 61/870,667,filed Aug. 27, 2013, and claims benefits of U.S. Provisional U.S.Application No. 61/895,803, filed Oct. 25, 2013, and said U.S.application Ser. No. 15/614,547 claims benefits of a U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/346,377, filed Jun. 6, 2016.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660 filed Aug. 25, 2018 is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/816,792, filed Nov.17, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/521,908, filed Oct. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/468,973, filed Aug.26, 2014, which claims benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/870,667, filed Aug. 27, 2013, and said U.S. application Ser. No.14/521,908 claims benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/895,803, filed Oct. 25, 2013, and claims benefits of a U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/048,628, filed Sep. 10, 2014.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660, filed Aug. 25, 2018 is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/614,547, filed Jun.5, 2017, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/521,908, filed Oct. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, entitled,filed Oct. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/468,973, filed Aug.26, 2014.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660, filed Aug. 25, 2018, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/208,605, filed Jul.13, 2016, now patent Ser. No. 10/058,023.

The entire contents of Ser. No. 16/112,660, 16/107,374, 15/190,652,62/188,555, 15/981,289, 62/508,145, 15/614,547, 14/521,908, 14/468,973,61/870,667, 61/895,803, 62/346,377, 15/816,792, 62/048,628, 15/208,605are each hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to agricultural productdispensing systems; and, more particularly to systems for dispensingmultiple low rate agricultural products.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are several ways to dispense at-plant liquid and/or granuleproducts in or near the furrow while planting. For, example, commercialdevices for dispensing low-rate, in-furrow liquid products whileplanting are not suitable for newer planters that operate at speedswhich exceed 5 miles per hour while distributing planting seed into theseed furrow. The physical design and liquid placement of thesecommercial devices are neither suitable for dispensing very low rates(one-half gallon or less per linear acre, on crop rows planted 30 inchesapart, or less than about 3.7 fluid ounces/1,000 row feet) ofcontinuously applied liquid agricultural product per acre in a mannerthat enables the product to deliver an efficacious result, nor are theycapable of synchronizing the delivery of the liquid with the seed, suchthat an ultra-small dose of liquid is delivered in very close proximityto the seed, with as much as 90% (or more) of the space or area betweenthe seeds remaining untreated with the liquid so applied. As will bediscussed below, the present invention provides the combination ofcontinuous stream, low rate liquid application technology, in concertwith pulsed delivery of the liquid to synchronize delivery of the liquidwith the seed resulting in an untreated space that remains between eachseed so that the total applied liquid volume per acre can be reduced byas much as 90% versus currently available in-furrow liquid applicationsystems.

For example, the default synchronized or pulsed dispensing rate for oneconventional commercial system is 5 gallons per acre at 5 MPH, with aresultant treated strip of approximately 3 inches in length beingapplied with each pulse of applied liquid. In such a situation theplanted seed is placed within this 3 inch treated strip. This correlatesto enabling the liquid application process to be turned on and off(pulsed), using a time interval of approximately 30 milliseconds. Inorder to reduce the total quantity of liquid chemical applied per acre,it is desirable to be able to synchronize delivery of the liquidchemical with delivery of the seed, while the planter is operating atspeeds greater than 5 MPH, while limiting the area or length of treatedsoil to a strip which may be approximately 1 inch in length, with atreated strip of soil always being in close proximity (i.e. within ½inch) to each planted seed. To enable application of such a low rate insuch close proximity with the seed requires the liquid to be pulsed at atime interval of about 3 milliseconds. As will be discussed below, theinvention described herein can efficaciously apply continuous low rateliquids at ½ gallon per acre or less, while the planter is beingoperated at speeds greater than 5 MPH, and so can be used with newer,high-speed planters. Reducing the total volume of continuously appliedliquid to ½ gallon per linear acre corresponds to about 17% of thesomewhat low rate continuous liquid application systems that arecurrently available. Current low-rate liquid pulsing/synchronizationtechnology cannot apply such low rates due to the inability ofcommercially available agriculture product pulsing valves/devices tooperate at the high speed/short time interval required, and due to theinability to synchronize the spray pulse with seed placement such thatthe seed and liquid are in close enough proximity to ensure efficaciousresults from the applied liquid.

In spite of the desirability of being able to apply an ultra-low-rate ofa liquid, in-furrow product while planting at high speed, theconfiguration of current planting systems that use pulsed liquidapplication systems have major problems/limitations. As used herein theterm “ultra-low-rate,” as applied to liquids, refers to a rate below 1.0fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. The term “low rate,” as apply toliquids, refers to a rate below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. Tomeet the high-speed, low rate objective, the actual pulsing device mustbe closer to the seed area than currently available designs. Forcontinuous application no pulsing device is required. Therefore theapplication device can be located in any position relative to the seedarea. Furthermore, the area available for the pulsing device to bemounted closer to the landing point of each seed in the seed trench orfurrow is small, relative to the available space on the planter wherecurrently available pulsing devices are mounted. Current pulsed-deliveryorifices or spray tips are mounted from 6 to 40 inches from the pulsingdevice. When applying liquid products at very low rates, i.e. ultra-lowrates, with high speed pulsing, the amount of fluid between the pulsingdevice (valve) and orifice limits the speed of operation because thefluid has inertia and the line has to go from low pressure to dispensingpressure very quickly. Also, to prevent dripping during periods of verylow pressure or when pressure is zero, a check valve may be required.Check valves used in currently available in-furrow application equipmentare not designed to operate at the high speeds that are required forhigh speed planting, nor are they designed to operate at the frequenton/off cycles required at high speeds. Therefore, check valve placementand operational limitations negatively affect the ability to accuratelysynchronize application of liquid products at low and ultra-low rates invery close proximity with planting seed when planting at high speed,even though the presence of check valves on currently availableapplication equipment increases the range of operating limits of systemsso equipped, versus similar systems without check valves. Also, as isthe case with the physical size of currently available pulsing devices,the physical size of most check valves prevents close mounting to theseed release area, i.e., the area where the seed exits the seedtransport mechanism, prior to placement in the seed furrow.

Furthermore, when farmers try to apply both liquid and dry (e.g.granule) agricultural products during the same planting operation orpass, the liquid product frequently dampens, and therefore interfereswith the flowability of the dry product, which results in plugged orreduced-flow dry product placement tubes. Anything that causes a lessthan intended rate of dry or liquid product to be applied within theintended area of close proximity with each seed can contribute toreduced efficacy of the product(s) being applied. As will be disclosedhereinafter, the inventive concepts of the present invention resolvesthis issue.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,564 uses a brush that collects the granules at theend of the seed tubeand when the seed comes down the tube it pushes openthe brush and dispenses the chemical with the seed. The '565 systemworks fine for speeds up to about 5 MPH and populations of about 32,000seeds per acre. However, if one attempts to operate the '564 system atspeeds greater than 5 MPH, the exit speed of seed through the dischargeopening of the delivery tube can be restricted by the brush, while theentry speed of seeds into the same delivery tube at a position above thebrushes is not restricted. When seed enters the delivery tube at a ratethat's faster than the discharge rate, blockage of the seed deliverytube can occur, resulting in reduced plant populations and acorresponding reduction in crop yield. Additionally, when operating the'564 system at speeds greater than 5 MPH, product synchronization isadversely affected, as a consequence of inadequate time for the brushesto collect an adequate quantity of product granules before the next seedpasses through the brush, causing the brush bristles to flex and theproduct granules to be evenly synchronized in close proximity with eachplanted seed. The result can be a less than efficacious dose rate ofgranules being applied in close proximity with the seed, because aportion of the intended dose rate gets distributed in the space betweenthe seeds as a consequence of the brush bristles' inability to flex,catch, and hold the chemical granules as quickly as is required whenoperating at speeds greater than 5 MPH. In essence, synchronizationquality is diminished when the '564 system is operated at speeds greaterthan 5 MPH because granule leakage past the brushes occurs.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,065 discloses use of an electrical mechanical valveto dispense the chemical granules. The '065 patent addresses some of theproblems inherent with the '564 patent. Presently, many corn plantershave air compressors on them. The '065 patent introduces the option ofusing an air valve to blow the granules, versus requiring the seed topass through the brush on which product granules are collected duringthe interval of time between the passage of seeds.

Over the past decade, planting and chemical dispensing systems fordispensing seed and insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nutrients,plant growth regulators, or fertilizers, have made the handling of seedand chemical liquids or granules less hazardous to the agriculturalworker by providing closed container systems, such as those described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,848 and 4,971,255, incorporated by reference hereinand the SmartBox® Dispensing System (hereinafter “SmartBox DispensingSystem”), marketed by AMVAC Chemical Corporation, a division of AmericanVanguard Corporation. Briefly, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,848,access to and from a container in a closed container system is availablethrough a single opening in the bottom wall of the container, offeringdistinct advantages over an open-top, non-removable container design inan open container system.

Closed container systems provide a removable container, which ispre-filled with the chemical or toxic materials such as insecticides,fertilizers, herbicides and other pesticides; or other agriculturalproducts, thereby eliminating the need to open and pour bags of chemicalproducts into storage hoppers. Since the closed container system islargely not open to the air, agricultural workers have less opportunityto come into contact with the chemical products, thereby reducing skinand inhalation exposure to the hazardous chemicals.

At the present time, products that are applied in-furrow while plantinginclude nematicides for the treatment of nematodes; insecticides for thetreatment of insects; herbicides for the control of weeds; fungicidesfor the control of diseases; plant health/growth stimulant products forimproving plant health; nutrients for improving plant health andnutrition, etc. There is research being conducted to develop additionalin-furrow products that utilize living/biological micro-organisms, aminoacids, proteins, peptides, and gene “switches”, such as the developingarea of RNA silencing or interference gene technology, etc.

Additionally, an alleged relationship between the use of at-plantingapplied neonicotinoid insecticides and a corresponding decline in theoverall honeybee population has been reported. It is believed that airvacuum planters exhaust insecticide dust from planting seed that wastreated with neonicotinoid insecticide prior to the seed being loadedinto the planter, and that the dust from the same is adversely affectingthe population of honeybees. Honeybees are an essential element of theplant pollination process for many crops, so a decline in honeybeepopulations can potentially reduce overall crop yields Insecticide dustfrom pre-treated seed can be eliminated if synchronized, in-furrowdelivery of those same insecticides while planting proves to be aneconomically and efficacious alternative.

Today, most in-furrow granular products are dispensed or applied at arate of more than three ounces per thousand feet of row, while mostliquid products are applied at rates of more than 3.7 fluid ounces perthousand feet of row. In-furrow application rates of less than three dryounces per thousand row feet, or less than 3.7 fluid ounces per thousandrow feet, require special techniques and special equipment in order todeliver efficacious results. As will be disclosed below, the presentinvention addresses these needs.

Traditionally, systems for in-furrow granule placement use a plastichose and metal bracket to establish the positioning of the granules intothe furrow. Wind and the angle of field slope can affect productplacement. Because they are placed behind the depth wheels on theplanter, the brackets that establish the position of the are subject tobeing misaligned by coming into contact with crop residue, clods, andother field issues such as ditches and furrows. Also, since the furrowclosure is determined by soil conditions, the furrow may be closed bythe time the chemical (i.e. agricultural product) tube applies thechemical to the furrow. When the point of product discharge is placedbehind the depth wheels, wind can blow the product off target under thewindy conditions that are prevalent during planting time. Withconventional banding equipment, product is frequently placed on thedownhill side of the row in fields with substantial slope that runs in asomewhat perpendicular direction from the direction of the rows.Originally installed granular product banding equipment from plantermanufacturers is often too wide and provides little to no protectionfrom the wind, which may allow product to be blown away from the desiredapplication zone.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, issued to present inventor L. M. Conrad,discloses a process and system for accurately applying low-rate,in-furrow dry/granular agricultural products. The '431 patent addressesand resolves several of the problems associated with obtainingefficacious results when applying in-furrow products at low rates whileplanting.

US Pat. Publication US 2018/0000070, published on Jan. 4, 2018, to FMCCorporation, discloses foamable formulations of agriculturally activeingredients, as well as methods for using them. The formulationsallegedly “allow improved delivery of active ingredients by the abilityto deliver high amounts of active ingredient with a low volume offormulation used.” The '070 publication discloses application ofproducts below 1 gallon per acre input. In other words, the activeingredient plus carrier is below 1 gallon per acre input. The FMC foamsystem expands that active ingredient plus carrier by 15 to 50 times theinput. Therefore, the amount of agricultural product dispensed into thefurrow is actually many gallons (i.e. on the order of 15 to 50 gallons)when the combined volume of liquid plus air in the foamed product isaccounted for.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products that includes amultiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application deviceconfigured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor assemblypositioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speed plantingequipment.

In a preferred embodiment, each MLRA product application devicecomprises a common housing for a number of low rate agricultural productinput assemblies. Thus, the present invention mitigates the issuediscussed above regarding liquid interference with the dry, flowableproduct placement tube and resultant plugging of it.

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, including anagricultural product metering system, a number of agricultural producttubes, and an agricultural product metering system. The agriculturalproduct metering system is operably connected to sources of low rateagricultural products. The agricultural product tubes are operativelyconnected to the agricultural product metering system. The agriculturalproduct metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rateagricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ouncesper 1000 row feet.

In a preferred embodiment the agricultural product metering systemincludes a syringe-based pump system.

In a preferred embodiment the system for dispensing multiple low rateagricultural products includes a seed sensing device configured to senseplacement of seed from a planter; a pulsing system and an agriculturalproduct metering system. The pulsing system is operatively coupled tooutput ends of agricultural product tubes and to the seed sensing deviceand is configured to synchronize the placement of low rate agriculturalproducts relative to the placement of seed. The agricultural productmetering system can also be configured to dispense liquid agriculturalproducts an ultra-low-rate defined as below 1.0 fluid ounces per 1000row feet.

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products with seed. The systemincludes a seed sensing device; an agricultural product metering system;agricultural product tubes and a pulsing system. The seed sensing deviceis configured to sense placement of seed from a planter. Theagricultural product metering system is operably connected to sources oflow rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tubes areoperably connected to the agricultural product metering system. Thepulsing system is operatively coupled to output ends of the agriculturalproduct tubes and to the seed sensing device and is configured tosynchronize the placement of low rate and/or ultra-low rate agriculturalproducts relative to the placement of seed.

In one embodiment the seed sensing device is configured to senseplacement of seed from a planter configured to operate at a high planterspeed, the high planter speed being defined as greater than 5 mph. Inother embodiments, the seed sensing device is configured to senseplacement of seed from a planter configured to operate at a planterspeed in a range of about 2 mph to 7 mph. In some embodiments theagricultural product metering system is configured to dispense dry,flowable low rate agricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3ounces per 1000 feet of row. In some embodiments the agriculturalproduct metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rateagricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ouncesper 1000 row feet. In some embodiments the agricultural product meteringsystem is configured to dispense liquid agricultural products at anultra-low-rate defined as below 1.0 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. Insome embodiments the pulsing system is configured to provide thesynchronized the placement of low rate and/or ultra-low rateagricultural products in close proximity with an individually placedseed or seed grouping, adjacent to an individually placed seed or seeds,or between individually placed individual seeds or groups of seed, asdesired.

In one aspect the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing a liquid low rate agricultural product, including anagricultural product metering system and at least one agriculturalproduct tube. The agricultural product metering system includes asyringe-based pump system operably connected to a source of liquid lowrate agricultural product. The agricultural product tube is operativelyconnected to the agricultural product metering system. The agriculturalproduct metering system is configured to continuously apply the liquidlow rate agricultural product at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluidounces per 1000 row feet.

In one aspect the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing a liquid ultra-low rate agricultural product, including anagricultural product metering system and at least one agriculturalproduct tube. The agricultural product metering system includes asyringe-based pump system operably connected to a source of liquidultra-low rate agricultural product. The agricultural product tube isoperatively connected to the agricultural product metering system. Theagricultural product metering system is configured to apply the liquidlow rate agricultural product synchronized with placement of seed from aplanter, at an ultra-low rate defined as below 1.0 fluid ounces per 1000row feet.

As noted above, the FMC '070 publication discloses application of liquidproducts at below 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) per linear acre. (Thereare 17,424 linear row feet per acre when the rows are spaced 30 inchesapart; 128 fluid ounces per 17,424 row feet is equal to 7.346 fluidounces per 1,000 row feet.) However, the present patent application, onthe other hand relates to efficacious liquid application rates of lessthan 64 fluid ounces (3.673 fluid ounces per 1,000 row feet.) output perlinear acre. As noted previously, the actual output volume of the '070FMC system is 15 to 50 times the input, in other words, many gallons ofoutput per acre. Furthermore, the FMC '070 system discusses placement ina continuous stream, which means the liquid is applied in all the spacesbetween the planted seeds. The present invention, on the other hand,provides the ability to apply liquid product in a continuous stream orin a pulsed process that synchronizes delivery of the liquid with theseed, resulting in significant strips of untreated soil in the furrow inthe space between the seeds. The FMC '070 system mixes products beforeapplication. The present invention, on the other hand, provides for thesimultaneous yet individual application of multiple agriculturalproducts, even potentially incompatible products, during a singleplanting operation, while enabling individual products, dry and/orliquid, to be precisely placed at the desired locations, for example onthe seed, between the seed, and in or adjacent to the seed furrow.Furthermore, since the FMC system is reliant on the foaming process, thepotential ingredients are limited to products that can be formulated todeliver efficacious results in a foamed state.

As can be understood by the present disclosure, during a single planterpass, various combinations of products from multiple containers can beapplied with this technology. In another aspect, the present inventionis embodied as a system for dispensing multiple agricultural products.The system includes a Multiple Low Rate Agricultural (MLRA) productapplication device configured to cooperate with a planting equipmentmonitor assembly that is positioned to sense seed being discharged fromhigh speed planting equipment.

The application rate range of the systems of the present inventionprovide for a convenient package for handling and shipping. Thecontainers are smaller and lighter than presently used containers.Manufacturing and shipping costs are reduced, as is the environmentalfootprint. Furthermore, less volume of product results in reducedstorage and handling requirements throughout the distribution channeland for the grower.

In some embodiments the product containers are rigid. In someembodiments the product containers may be disposable. (If disposableproduct containers are used, the contents of the disposable containersare transferred to or are utilized in conjunction with one or moreconfigurable, rigid product reservoirs.)

The system of the present invention utilizes precision placementequipment, typically including placement tube assemblies. In oneembodiment, each placement tube assembly is mounted in a manner thatenables placement of the applied product(s) in-furrow, between the depthwheels of a depth control wheel assembly of the planter. In someembodiments, the precision placement equipment comprises banders. Insome embodiments, the bander is mounted behind a depth control wheelassembly and forward of the planter's closing wheel assembly. In someembodiments the bander includes a wind screen positioned thereon.

Some products need to be applied adjacent to the seed trench or furrow,instead of being applied directly into the same furrow where the seed ispositioned by the planter. The reason for placing some products besideor adjacent to the furrow is because some products cause a phytotoxic oradverse reaction by the seed or seedling. In such instances, agronomicperformance is improved if the seed can germinate and begin to growwithout being in direct contact with the applied product, recognizingthat overall agronomic performance will be improved versus non-use ofthe product, if the seedling roots can quickly grow into a zone wherethe applied product is available as a consequence of having beenprecision-placed during the planting process. In some scenarios, itmight be preferable to place the product in the seed furrow, butsynchronized in association with the delivery of each seed such that theseed is placed into a location where the product was not applied. Thus,in some situations, treated strips of product occur in-between eachseed, thereby allowing the newly germinated seeds to extend their rootsinto a product treatment zone that exists or begins in the seed furrow,versus having to reach a product treatment zone that originated fromprecision placement of the product in a position that is adjacent to therow. Precision placement of multiple products, where products are placedin-furrow, or adjacent to the furrow, with, for example, one or moreproducts being applied in furrow, while one or more additional productsare applied adjacent to the row, on one or both sides of the row, can beaccomplished with dry and liquid products during a single pass of theplanter.

In certain embodiments, the memory associated with the cartridge is partof an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. In a number ofembodiments, the current user identity data is read from a useridentification source associated with the dispensing equipment, such asan authorization code to enable dispensing by the dispensing equipment.In some embodiments, each entity that takes possession of the cartridgeis tracked, and the memory associated with the cartridge is updated withentity possession data. In one embodiment, the method further includesdesignating a cartridge as the cartridge to be used by or on behalf ofthe specific user for specific product such as selected agriculturalproduct.

In some embodiments, the method includes repeatedly detecting, at leastduring dispensing of the product, changes in geographic location of thecartridge, and repeatedly entering and updating geographic informationfor sequential geographic locations with as-applied product data atthose geographic locations into the memory associated with thecartridge. An as-applied map is generated in certain embodiments torecord as-applied quantities of product dispensed at the sequentialgeographic locations at a target area. In one embodiment, the as-appliedmap is compared to a prescriptive map to generate a difference mapindicating at least differences greater than a selected error amount,such as deviations greater than two percent or three percent fromprescribed values, between prescribed information and as-appliedinformation relating to quantities and type of product actuallydispensed at the sequential geographic locations at the target area. Inanother embodiment, the as-applied product data is compared toprescriptive application data to generate an error message fordifferences greater than a selected error amount between prescribedinformation and as-applied information relating to quantities and typeof product actually dispensed at the sequential geographic locations atthe target area.

This invention further features a system and method that automaticallymonitors product use data, such as the type and amount of productsuitable for at least one of agricultural use and horticultural use thatis stored in and dispensed from at least one cartridge over time and/orby geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as atag on the cartridge and, in certain embodiments, are transmitted to aserver and/or an Input/Output device such as a tablet or other mobiledevice, for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may beauthenticated before being authorized for use in dispensing the product.The cartridge may be refilled automatically with only the proper typeand amount of product needed to fill the cartridge. To ensure that onlythe proper type of product can be introduced into the cartridge duringthe refilling process, authentication is conducted in certainembodiments for both the cartridge and the container from which therefill contents will be dispensed. The system for dispensing thecontents of the cartridge may be calibrated automatically based aproduct parameter such as on the weight and/or the bulk density (orliquid viscosity) of the product in the cartridge. Data may beaggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a planter equipped with a systemfor dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective illustration of the planter of FIG. 1,partially broken away to reveal the multiple low rate agriculturalproduct application device of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged side view of a portion of the planter depicted inFIG. 2, showing a seed dropped in the furrow.

FIG. 3B shows dry, flowable agricultural product being applied.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the Multiple Low RateAgricultural (MLRA) product application device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a perspective illustration, partially cutaway of an exampleof a valve.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the system for dispensing multiple low rateagricultural products, including two Multiple Low Rate Agricultural(MLRA) product devices positioned at different locations on the planter.

FIG. 7A is a view of the MLRA product application device with a plateremoved.

FIG. 7B shows the liquid agricultural product input line adjusted todispense at a different angle than depicted in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic illustration of the system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dry, flowableagricultural product input assembly which allows application in twodirections.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of an example test of a multiple low rateagricultural product application device utilized with a single dry,flowable agricultural product input assembly illustrating granulesdispensed in a concentrated pattern in close proximity to the seed.

FIGS. 11A-11C are sequential photographs of synchronized delivery ofseed with liquid.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a syringe pump that may be utilized toapply in-furrow liquid products at low rates.

FIG. 13 shows an example display for a pulsing valve controller.

The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings aredesignated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elementsbear a prime designation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference markedthereon, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a simplified diagram of a system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, designated generallyas 10, positioned on a planter 12. The system 10 includes a Multiple LowRate Agricultural (MLRA) product application device 14 configured tocooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly 16 (i.e. seedsensing device) positioned to sense a seed being discharged fromplanting equipment, i.e. planter 12.

The MLRA product application device (i.e. “aiming device”) 14 includes acommon housing 18 for a plurality of low rate agricultural product inputassemblies 20, 21. As will be discussed in more detail below, the lowrate agricultural product input assemblies 20, 21 have exit portssupported by the common housing 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, each MLRA product applicationdevice 14 includes two plates 22, 24 securely supported in a spacedapart position. The plates 22, 24 preferably include mounting holes 26that provide adjustment of the low rate agricultural product inputassemblies 20, 21 for desired prescriptive discharge.

The seed sensing device 16 is particularly adapted to sense placement ofseed from a planter configured to operate at a high planter speed. Asdefined herein a “high planter speed” is greater than 5 mph. However,the seed sensing device can optionally be used to sense placement ofseed from a planter configured to operate at slower planter speeds, forexample in a range of about 2 mph to 5 mph.

One type of low rate agricultural product input assembly is a liquidagricultural product input assembly 21. Typical liquid agriculturalproducts may include, for example, synthetic or biological insecticides,fungicides, nematicides, inoculants, herbicides, fertility products,etc. Another type of low rate agricultural product input assembly 20 isa dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly 20. Typical dry,flowable agricultural products may include, for example, synthetic orbiological insecticides, nematicides, inoculants, herbicides,fungicides, fertilizers and other agricultural products. Both liquid anddry agricultural products also may include growth hormones, growthpromotion products, and other products for enhancing crop production.

The dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly 20 includes a dry,flowable agricultural product input line 30; an air line/wire component32 connectable to an air source 34; an air valve 36; a combinationsection 38; and a combined dry, flowable/air outlet section 40. The airvalve 36 is operatively connected to the air line/wire component 32. Thecombination section 38 is positioned to receive dry, flowableagricultural product from the dry, flowable agricultural product inputline 30 and air from the air valve 36. The combination section 38 isconfigured to receive the dry, flowable agricultural product and holdthe dry, flowable agricultural product until the air from the air valve36 discharges the dry, flowable agricultural product. The combined dry,flowable/air outlet section (or exit port section) 40 is connected tothe combination section 38 and configured to discharge the dry, flowableagricultural product. The liquid agricultural product input assembly 21includes a liquid agricultural product input line 42. A liquid line/wirecomponent 44 is connectable to a liquid source 46. A liquid valve 48 isoperatively connected to the liquid line/wire component 44 forregulating a discharge of the liquid agricultural product.

Thus, the air valves 36, liquid valves 48 and associated system items tothe air valves 36 and liquid valves 48 collectively comprise a pulsingsystem operatively coupled to output ends of the dry, flowableagricultural product input line 30 and/or liquid agricultural productinput line 42 (i.e. agricultural product tubes 30, 42). The pulsingsystem is also operably coupled to the seed sensing device. The pulsingsystem is configured to synchronize the placement of low rateagricultural products relative to the placement of seed. Thus, in someembodiments the pulsing system system includes electrical pulsing valvesphysically placed on the output ends of the agricultural product tubes.

In a preferred embodiment, the air valve 36 and/or liquid valve 48 maycomprise, for example, a type of modified automotive fuel injectionvalve. As best seen in FIG. 5, both the air valve 36 and the liquidvalve 48 are the same type of mechanical device. The active (i.e.operational) part of the valves 36, 48, as denoted by the brackets inthis figure, may be, for example, about 1¼ inches long and havediameters of approximately ½ inch. This allows mounting of multipleagricultural product input assembles (including their valves) within thesame MLRA product application device 14.

Referring to FIG. 5A, an example of a valve 36 (or 48), either forliquid or air, is illustrated. The valve 36 includes structures knownwithin the automotive fuel injection field, such as a valve housingassembly 23, an armature 25, a coil 27, an output orifice 29, and areturn spring 31. Additionally, there is an air/liquid line and suitablewiring. Utilization of such a valve allows multiple valves to be usedwithin a single MLRA product application device 14.

Each multiple low rate agricultural product application device 14 valve36 (or 48) may be about 1¼ inches long with a diameter of about ½ inch.Adding wiring, hose, and the mounting housing increases the sizeslightly but can be designed to fit the length and width of arearequirements. A commercially available valve for pulsing liquids on acorn planter is available from Capstan AG Systems Inc., Topeka, Kans. Asopposed to the present valve 36 (or 48), The Capstan unit, on the otherhand, is about 6 inches long and about 2 inches wide. Also, the Capstanunit, is normally split into two or more components to make it fit inthe space available. In the Capstan unit the large size results in thepulsing part of the valve being a long distance from the dispensing tipor orifice, up to three feet on some units, which decreases performance.

As will be seen with respect to FIG. 6, in one embodiment of system 10,there can be multiple devices (i.e. MLRA product application devices)14′, 14″ mounted on the planter 12. Each device may contain multiple lowrate agricultural product input assemblies 33, 35, 37, 39. Theagricultural product input assemblies may be various dry and/or liquidor combinations thereof. Device 14″, i.e. precision placement equipment,includes placement tube assemblies, i.e. agricultural product inputassemblies operatively connected to low rate meter devices to place theagricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity ofthe agricultural products in this instance each placement tube assembly(i.e. agricultural input assembly is mounted between depth wheels of adepth control wheel assembly of the planter for placement of productin-furrow between the depth control wheels. FIG. 6 shows one depthcontrol wheel 41. Another depth control wheel has been removed to showthe device 14″ between the depth control wheels. There is an attachmentarm 19 for the depth control wheel 41. Each of the placement tubeassemblies 33, 35 includes an elongated placement tube 37,39 arranged sothat it descends from a portion of the frame 41 behind the depth controlwheels 41 to between the depth control wheels. Device 14 is located infront of the seed tube 65. It is preferably positioned between theopening discs. One opening disc 43 is shown. A second one has beenremoved to show the device 14′. Thus, both devices 14′ and 14″ areprotected from the wind, trash and other impediments on the soil. Inother embodiments instead of utilizing two plates, one plate (forexample, attached to a metal strip) may be utilized in a common housing.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the planting equipmentmonitor assembly (i.e. seed sensing device) 16 includes an in-cabmonitor 50 having a seed status light 52. A planter assembly controlmodule 54 is operatively connected to the in-cab monitor 50, forinterfacing input signals from planter sensors. The planter assemblycontrol module 54 functions as a master controller. The planter sensorsmay be of a variety of different types that provide input to theoperator regarding planter functions, e.g. from the seed tube, seedmeter pressure sensor, bulk seed tank pressure sensor (not shown),ground speed sensor 56 (see FIG. 1), seed unit ground pressure sensor 58(FIG. 2), etc.; and, for controlling planter functions (such as groundspeed, bulk tank pressure, seed meter vacuum, row unit ground pressure,liquid and dry, flowable application control. There are alternatemethods for positioning the monitor 50. It can be positioned as desiredon the planter, e.g. under the seed hopper.

Connection means such as suitable wiring 60 is operatively connectedbetween the control module 54 and the planter sensors through a plantingequipment monitor assembly wire harness/connector 62. Theharness/connector 62 can function as a power distribution box. In oneembodiment the power distribution box 62 is operatively connected to asecondary power source (not shown).

In one embodiment, the planting equipment monitor assembly includes aseed tube integrated unit 64 including a seed status light 66. In someembodiments, the seed status light is mounted on a separate modulerather than on the seed tube integrated unit 64. The seed tubeintegrated unit 64 is mounted on a seed tube 65. A control module 68,e.g. a seed status LED light interface module, is operatively connectedto the seed tube integrated unit 64 (i.e. seed sensing electronics), forinterfacing input signals from planter sensors and for controllingplanter functions (such as ground speed, bulk tank pressure, seed metervacuum, row unit ground pressure, liquid and dry, flowable applicationcontrol). The control module 68 functions as a secondary controller foractuating the meter devices. The control module 68 receives command datafrom the master controller 54 and the seed tube integrated unit 64 andseed status light 66 via the power distribution box

Connection means such as suitable wiring 70 is operatively connectedbetween the control module 68 and the planter sensors (e.g. seed statuslight 66) through the planting equipment monitor assembly wireharness/connector 62.

In one embodiment, the multiple low rate agricultural productapplication device is configured to dispense dry, flowable (e.g.granular) agricultural products at a low application rate, a “lowapplication rate,” being defined for dry, flowable agricultural productsas a rate below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row.

In one preferred embodiment, the low application rate of the dry,flowable agricultural products is 1.0-2.0 ounces per 1000 feet of row.In an embodiment the agricultural products are insecticides.

In one embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowableagricultural products is 2.0-2.99 ounces per 1000 feet of row. Inanother embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowableagricultural products is below 2.0 ounces per 1000 feet of row. Inanother embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowableagricultural products is 0.01-1.9 ounces per 1000 feet of row.

The multiple low rate agricultural product application device isconfigured to dispense liquid agricultural products at a low applicationrate, a “low application rate,” being defined as a rate below 3.7 fluidounces per 1,000 row feet.

With respect to liquid agricultural products, the low rate is limited bythe formulation and the size of the particles suspended in the liquid.If the orifice is not large enough to pass the formulation or particlesit will plug. It is also limited by the fact that if the orifice is toosmall it may form a mist which will make it difficult to hit thetargeted area. If pure water is utilized, application rates can go downto four or 5 fluid ounces per linear acre with 30″ row spacing, or saidanother way, per 17,424 row feet.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the low rateagricultural product input assemblies (i.e. discharge guides) 20, 21 canbe angled appropriately by fasteners 45. The fasteners may be of a widevariety of types, for example, plastic or metal bolts or screws. Itemssuch as zip tie fasteners may be used. Thus, referring to FIGS. 7A and7B, the liquid agricultural product input assembly 21 is shown adjustedat different angles. Furthermore, the dry, flowable agricultural productinput assembly 20 is shown with a modified dry, flowable agriculturalproduct input line 30 which is curved to meet the requirements of theplanter frame.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the exit port section (i.e. combineddry, flowable/air outlet section 40) includes, in the embodiment shown,a trough 47 at the end of the chemical tube 49 where agriculturalproduct is collected. The air valve 36 is mounted at one end of thetrough 47. The upper entry point of dry, flowable agricultural products(granules) is between the air valve 36 and the discharge opening 49. Theair valve 36 fires and the granules are blown through the trough 47. Thedischarge end of the trough 47 has a U-shaped discharge guide 51.

The U-shaped discharge guide 51 performs several functions:

1. It protects the discharge opening 49 from foreign material enteringit and plugging it.

2. In one embodiment the discharge guide 51 can be tilted through arange of about 90-120 degrees to provide guidance for the granules tohit the aim point, eliminating the need for complicated electronics toprovide accuracy. It may have an added insert to change the angle forhitting the aim point.

3. It also protects the liquid discharge from the liquid valve 48 (andfrom any other sources of liquid contamination) from entering the trough47, which could result in product plugging and otherwise missing thetarget area.

4. The U-shaped discharge guide 51 is preferred rather than a tube orpipe type discharge because the open side of the guide 51 preventsgranules from building up in the discharge from debris, wet soil,crossing wet spots in the field, etc.

5. The open front side prevents residue such as plant stalk from lodgingin the discharge port.

Referring again to FIG. 6, in one embodiment a brush 53 can be usedinstead of the U-shaped discharge guide 51. Using such a brush 53 canresult in better placement in some planting conditions, such as highresidue and wet conditions.

Another brush (not shown) may be utilized in the air valve systembetween the granule intake and discharge opening to work like it doeswith seed dispensing devices. Such a brush may reduce the unintended andless than efficacious application of minute quantities of product duringthe interval of time between the pulsed bursts of air.

The present invention allows different products to be introduced intothe furrow with desired placement relative to the seed. In oneembodiment, only one signal is needed to signal any group of valves tofire. This means that where the product is applied in the furrow isdetermined by the valve position. Therefore, noncompatible products canbe applied at the same time in different positions. As noted above, thevalve assembly can be mounted either behind the seed tube or in front ofit. There is enough room to mount up to three valve assemblies dependingon where the product is required to hit the seed furrow. Also, normalseed spacing for corn is about 6 inches. The normal seed spacing forsoybeans is about 1 to 4 inches depending on the row width. No matterwhen the signal from the seed sensor is given the valve can bepositioned to hit with the proper timing and placement.

One reason to pulse granules and liquid is that granules can be moreeasily designed for timed release but liquids work better for quickcontrol. In one embodiment, for example, if it is desired in anapplication for immediate response to pests that attack corn seed butalso a need for late season control of corn rootworms, both anencapsulated granular and liquid can be used. Also if it is desired toapply both liquids and/or granular products that are not completelycompatible with each other when they are in the same solution or directcontact, they can be pulsed in different locations in the furrow or nearthe furrow in the row.

The signal to drive the device of the present invention can be suppliedin many ways. There are several commercial controllers such as a CapstanAG Systems, Inc. Seed Squirter controller; a Great Plains Ag planterunit; and a 360 Yield Center controller. Since the devices of thepresent invention can be manually adjusted they can be controlled/drivenby wiring them directly to the planter monitor, Y-ed into the seed flowsensor connector, and/or a magnetic/emf/electric field sensor can beused with individual circuitry for each row. Also, if electrical timingis desired “delay line” modules can be used without complicatedelectronics and processors. “Delay Lines” are commonly used for signalprocessing.

In one embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, a rigid productcontainer 130 may be utilized for low rate, dry flowable agriculturalproducts. A liquid product container 131 is shown, by way of example,next to the rigid product container 130; however, there is muchflexibility in the location of such a liquid product container 131.Additionally, as it is understood by one skilled in the field, there maybe a variety of different rigid product containers and/or liquid productcontainers. The liquid product containers may each include a pump, ormay be connected to a liquid supply pump.

In certain embodiments rigid containers may be used. Use of rigidcontainers for low rate, dry flowable agricultural products maintainsagricultural product integrity during shipping and storage. This will bediscussed below in more detail.

Although not preferred, pallets of bagged product may possibly be used.Bagged product was typically used in the past and the product wasstacked four or five pallets high in a warehouse for a period of months.A common procedure is to drop a bag on the ground or floor to break upany lumps that might have developed in the bag as a consequence of beingstored. Standard application equipment has rotors to help grind uplumps. This is moderately effective at application rates that are higherthan the low rates previously described in this document, because thecontrol orifices in the bottom of many currently available meters arelarge enough to pass the lumps that remain after the bags have beendropped as previously described. Lumps (or clumped material) thatdoesn't get broken up, if small enough, can be forced through theorifice due to the turning action of the rotors that are positionedbefore the metering device. However, at the low application ratesdescribed herein, the control orifice has to be small enough to controlthe flow, and essentially any lumping will cause a blockage and preventthe metering device from applying the product in a consistent andefficacious manner. Also, a problem with paper bags is that cuttingthem, tearing them open, or other opening techniques can allow smallpieces of paper to enter the application system, which can also causeplugging and/or blockage issues. Finally, filling the planter equipmentfrom non-closed systems with open lids can allow foreign material suchas dirt, seed residue, etc., to enter the system, causing plugging. Thisis especially problematic on windy days.

The utilization of rigid product containers obviates the problemsmentioned above.

A low application rate meter device (i.e. agricultural product meteringsystem) 132 operatively connected to the rigid product container 130 isconfigured to dispense the agricultural products from the productcontainers (i.e. from a plurality of sources of low rate agriculturalproducts sources) 130.

The material dispensing system of the present invention may be used withother types of agricultural implements, but is primarily used with seedplanting equipment. Although the Figures show a single row of plantingequipment, typical planters include multiple rows, for example, up to 48or more.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified schematic illustration of oneembodiment of the major components of the system of the presentinvention is shown, designated generally as 140. The seed tubeintegrated unit 64 provides a signal to the light interface module 68.Or, the in cab monitor 50 can provide the signal to the light interfacemodule 68. The light interface module 68 signals the air valve 36 and/orliquid valve 48 to apply liquid agricultural product and/or dry,flowable agricultural product.

Although only a couple of arrangements of the liquid and the dry,flowable agricultural product input assemblies have been illustratedabove, it is understood that the arrangement of these input assembliesdepends on the product supplied, the type of planter that is used, andhow that product needs to be placed. For example, although anarrangement has been described above as including one liquid and onedry, flowable input assembly, it is understood that in somecircumstances there may be multiples of the liquid and/or dry, flowableinput assemblies.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment of a dry, flowableagricultural product input assembly, designated generally as 144, isillustrated, which allows application in two directions. A dry, flowableproduct input tube 146 and air valve 148 cooperate in a bi-directionalhousing 150 with a front application port 152 and a rear applicationport 154 for discharging the dry, flowable agricultural product multipledirections if desired. A unique feature of this embodiment is that it iscapable of pulsing out a more uniform line of product than an inputassembly with a single output port. Therefore, it can be operated atvery low rates and pulse a continuous line of agricultural product inthe furrow. For example, if the device pulses a six inch line ofproduct, it can be fired at every six inches to provide a continuousapplication of product. Therefore, if there is a six inch seed spacingthen pulsing with the seed will result in a continuous stream of productin the furrow. Another example of pulsing with low rates is, instead ofsynchronized pulsing of product with the seed, there is pulsing every 6inches (in accordance with distance traveled) and production of the sameresults as pulsing with the seed.

A sensor apparatus is preferably included that detects when the deliverypoint for the agricultural product is not where it is supposed to be. Asbackground, in order for synchronized applications to work, the farmerneeds to be informed if for any reason the product being applied isn'tbeing placed properly in proximity with the seed. For, example, ifapplying a strip that is very short, the pulsing might be working verywell, but if the nozzle is mis-aimed, that treated strip will not be inthe correct position relative to the seed, and the desired effect on thecrop will not be realized. Therefore, a sensor apparatus notifies thefarmer if the product delivery point is not where it is supposed to be.

In some embodiments, and preferably, a sensor apparatus is included thatdetects when the delivery point for the agricultural product is notwhere it should be. An example of such a sensor apparatus is disclosedand claimed in U.S. Ser. No. 15/822,181 entitled FLOW SENSOR BASED ONELECTRICAL CAPACITY.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a single still image picture taken from ahigh-speed/slow-motion video that was taken during an an example test ofthe operational advantages of the system 10. In this test setup, amultiple low rate agricultural product application device was utilizedwith a single dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly. A dry,flowable agricultural product, in this case a placebo white granularcalibration product, was used with corn seed that was color dyed. Thecorn seed was applied using a Precision Planting high-speed unit mountedon a John Deere row unit. Paper was used under the row unit traveling atplanter speed. The seed spacing in this example run was 13 inches. Ascan be readily seen, the granules were dispensed in a concentratedpattern in close proximity to the seed. This resulted in a zone betweeneach seed that receives little to no chemical. This is an example ofseed delivery being synchronized with dry, flowable agriculturalproduct.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C are sequential still pictures of synchronizeddelivery of liquid with individual seeds. In FIG. 11A a stream of liquidis shown being output from the liquid agricultural product inputassembly. In a synchronized fashion seed is being output from thePrecision Planting high-speed unit. FIG. 11B shows a line of liquiddispensed on the paper. At that time the seed is still airborne. FIG.110 shows the seed ready to impact the liquid on the paper. A high speedvideo was used.

As was the case with dry, flowable product, in another example there maybe non-synchronized pulsing of liquids with low rates. Instead ofsynchronized pulsing of product with the seed, there is pulsing every 6inches (in accordance with distance traveled) and production of the sameresults as pulsing with the seed. Instead of using an output nozzle thatsquirts a straight stream, a spray type nozzle is used, such as a flatfan jet nozzle, which produces a line of product parallel to theplanting direction in the bottom of the furrow. The advantage of pulsingin this manner allows use of bigger orifices in the output deviceproviding less plugging with denser products.

Looking at the soil behind the planter is the standard procedure forchecking for accurate placement of at-planting, in-furrow-appliedagriculatural products. With the system of the present invention, theapplication rates of agricultural product(s) are normally so low thatunaided visual observation is difficult, or maybe even impossible. Withthe present system, product placement can be set and visually confirmedby simultaneously operating both the agricultural product applicationsystem and the seed dispensing mechanism while the planter is stationaryand in planting position, and noting the placement of the product(s) inrelation to individual seeds or seed groupings, as the product(s) andseed strike the ground or any surface beneath the planter, in the eventthe testing process is conducted in a building with a floor.

The system of the present invention is particularly adapted for use witha planter configured to operate at a high planter speed. As the term“high planter speed” is used herein it refers to a speed greater than 5mph. However, it is emphasized that the system of the present invention,in some embodiments, can operate at much lower planter speeds such as ina range of between about 2 mph to 5 mph. Thus, the seed sensing deviceis configured to sense placement of seed as appropriate from theplanter, and commensurate planter speed utilized for a specifiedpurpose.

The agricultural product metering system may comprise various types ofsystems. For example, the agricultural product metering system may be asolenoid system or a syringe-based pump system. Various pumps can beused, to apply in-furrow liquid products at low rates. For example,referring to FIG. 12, a syringe-based pump assembly, designatedgenerally as 158, is illustrated.

The syringe-based pump assembly 158 includes a stepper motor 160connected to a drive gear 162 operably connected to two screw motors164. A common lever 166 operably connected to two syringe assemblies168, 170 are contained within the pump assembly housing 172. Eachsyringe assembly 168, 170 includes a syringe piston 172 and a syringeelement 174. The liquid output from the pump is synchronized withdelivery of the seed by using the same seed (planting) sensors describedabove.

Use of a syringe-based pump assembly 158 in conjunction with thesynchronized pulsing techniques discussed herein provides thesynergistic ability to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products anultra-low-rate, discussed above as defined as below 0.9 fluid ounces per1000 row feet. The concept of reducing the total quantity of liquidproduct that is applied with the syringe pump is consistent with thepreviously described results of ultra-low rate liquid application, wheredeposition or placement of the liquid product is limited to an area ofas little as one-quarter inch of row spacing, and within one-quarterinch of individually placed seeds or seed groupings. The process ofusing the seed sensing device to control the pulsed delivery of theliquid product, such that deposition (application) of the liquid productin the target area is synchronized with individual seeds or seedgroupings, is consistent for both syringe pump ultra-low rate liquidapplications and for ultra-low rate liquid synchronized applicationthat's accomplished with the modified fuel injector assembly describedpreviously herein. While the means of pumping or pushing the liquidproduct through the application orifice differs dramatically between thesyringe pump and modified fuel injector, the objective of providing anultra-low rate of liquid product in synchronization with an individualseed or seed grouping is consistent, and the highly disparateembodiments demonstrate that one skilled in the art might conceive ofalternate methods to accomplish this task.

Thus, the syringe pump provides the capability to apply a singlecontinuously applied liquid product at a low rate of less than 3.7 fluidounces per 1000 row feet when operated at speeds of 5 mph or less, orspeeds greater than 5 mph. Furthermore the syringe pump provides thecapability to apply a single synchronized liquid product at an ultra-lowrate of less than 1.0 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet when operated atspeeds of 5 mph or less, or speeds greater than 5 mph.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is thatthey can obviate the use of many complicated electronic driving systems.However, in certain embodiments electronic driving systems may be used.For example, it may use a distributed control system that includes amain microcontroller, which communicates to a plurality ofsub-controllers. (As used herein the term sub-controller mayalternatively be referred to as a secondary controller, slavecontroller, or row controller.) The sub-controllers implement commandsreceived from the main control unit by applying electric power to ametering system. The agricultural product container may contain a memorydevice for retaining information pertaining to the material in thecontainer and to a metering device of the metering system. Thisinformation is used by the main control unit (i.e. main microcontrolleror master controller) and the sub-controllers to properly dispense theproduct.

The material dispensing system, in some embodiments, is a distributedcontrol system that employs the master microcontroller computer locatedin the operator's cab or integrated into the onboard master display andcontrol system of the tractor. This master or main controllerdistributes command and control information via a high speed serialcommunications link, via a power distribution box, to thesub-controllers connected to individual meter systems. Each rowcorresponds to one row in the field being planted. Each individual metersystem is controlled by its own slave or row controller. The metersystem includes an electronic memory circuit and a metering ordispensing device. The meter system can be permanently attached to aunion device which enables product to flow to the meter from the productcontainer which is also attached to the union device. The meter systemmay be attached using a known tamper-evident securing system. The rowcontroller includes a material flow sensor which is integral with therow controller. The material flow sensor detects the presence or absenceof flow from the product container.

The main microcontroller unit may include a display and keypad foroperator interface. In some embodiments a speed sensing device such asradar, GPS, or wheel speed sensor is connected to the main control unitto provide for the tracking/monitoring of ground speed. Ground speed isused to modify the material dispensing rate to account for the planter'sspeed. The main control unit is connected to a plurality of junctionboxes. The junction boxes are operatively positioned between a powerdistribution box and the secondary controllers by a high speed serialcommunications link. The main controller is in constant communicationthrough the communications link to the secondary controllers 60 locatedon the planter.

In some embodiments the secondary controllers (i.e. row control units)allow a method of multiplexing signals going to the main controller. Abenefit is that the main controller can control a planter with only ninewires going to a junction box. One pair of wires is used for serialcommunications, three pairs of wires are provided for power to the rowcontrol units and to the metering devices. Three pairs of wires are usedfor power to more evenly distribute the current requirements. The powerdistribution box obviates the need for power to be supplied by themaster controller to the secondary controllers. The power distributionbox is independently connected to a power source as indicated by numeraldesignation. The power distribution box is also connected to a liftswitch. The power distribution box has three serial ports for connectionto the junction boxes. It includes suitable electronic overloadprotectors to prevent damage to the system. The lift switch preventsoperation of the metering devices when the planter is raised, I.e., notin planting position, thereby preventing product from being dispensedwhen the planter is not lowered into planting position.

The main controller also contains a suitable non-volatile memory unit,such as “flash” memory, a memory card, etc. Information pertaining tothe usage and application of agricultural products is stored in thisnon-volatile memory unit. This information is used to prepare printedreports which meet EPA reporting requirements. Currently, farmersprepare these written reports manually, however, some product containersare equipped with RFID tags or alternate means of electronicallycommunicating information about the product(s) being applied, thusenabling application records to be created automatically, withoutrequiring human or operator input.

A preferred junction box can connect up to eight row control units tothe power distribution box. If the planter has more than eight rows,additional junction boxes can be connected to the power distributionbox. The lift switch is connected to the power distribution box. Thisswitch indicates when the planter is not in an operating position. Otherinterfaces to the main control unit may be provided (such as serial orparallel links) for transmitting information to other computer systemsor printers.

The row control unit has memory devices and logic devices within tomodify and implement the commands from the main controller. The rowcontrol unit can read information from a container memory circuitattached to the container and may manipulate the commands from the maincontroller to properly operate the metering device. For example, if theconcentration or use rate of product on row 1 is different than theconcentration or use rate of product on row 8, the row control unit canmodify the commands of the main controller to properly dispense productsto each row. The row control unit also reads metering device calibrationdata from the container memory circuit and modifies the main controllercommands to account for differences in performance of different meteringdevices.

The row control unit allows the possibility to completely change theprogrammed functions of the main controller. As an example, if apre-programmed row control unit is placed on a liquid herbicide sprayer,the main controller would be able to read the dispenser type informationand operate as a liquid sprayer controller.

One embodiment shown in the figures uses one row control unit to controlone metering device and memory unit. A row control unit can control morethan one device, for example, two metering device and memory units, orone metering device and memory unit and one seed hopper and seedplanting mechanism.

The seed planting mechanism typically includes a plurality ofagricultural product tubes operatively connected to the agriculturalproduct metering system.

Each container supplies a metering or dispensing device, which allowscontrolled application rates under different conditions. The meteringdevice may be an electromechanical solenoid driven device for drymaterial. Other type of dispensers may be used for other materials, suchas liquids. One type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No.7,171,913, entitled “Self-Calibrating Meter With In-Meter Diffuser”.Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,782,entitled “Transfer Valve For a Granular Materials Dispensing System”.Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,794,entitled “Metering Device for Granular Materials”. Another type ofmetering device for dry granular material is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,156,372, entitled Metering Device for Granular Materials. Another typeof metering device, is described in U.S. Publication No.US20170043961A1, entitled Brush Auger Meter, which describes a devicefor metering granular or powdered product, having a meter housing, anauger housing positioned within the meter housing, the auger housinghaving an inlet opening for receiving the granular or powdered product,a rotatable spiral brush mounted within the auger housing, a firstdischarge outlet near one end of the auger housing for discharginggranular or powdered product, and another opening near another end ofthe auger housing for discharging granular or powdered product notdischarged through the first discharge opening. U.S. Pat. Nos.7,171,913; 5,687,782; 5,524,794; 5,156,372 and, U.S. Publication No.US20170043961A1 are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

The master controller and the secondary controllers are configured toprovide operator defined multiple groups of rows. Each of the rows in agroup has an operator assigned dispensing rate and operator assignedagricultural product. In some embodiments, the operator will be apre-established electronic prescription rather than a human being. Thedispensing rate and agricultural product are controllable by theoperator during operation, according to planting or field needs. Suchindividual row control is normally provided from an electronicprescription map. The master controller 10 and the secondary controllers60 are configured to control multiple groups of rows simultaneously. Agroup of rows may include a single row. Thus, for example, on a 48 rowplanter, 48 different products can be applied, each at its own specificrate, with the rate being totally variable, such that the rate can beincreased, decreased, or turned completely off, based on the geographicposition of the planter or application system. Furthermore, each of theproducts and their corresponding rate can be recorded by the mastercontroller 10 for use in record keeping.

The combination of an electronic memory and a product container withattached corresponding metering device may, in combination, form amaterial container capable of electronically remembering and storingdata important to the container, the material dispensing system, theagricultural product and the geographic position any time product isbeing dispensed, and the route of travel when the planter is in theplanting position. Among the data which could be stored are: a serialnumber unique to that container, product lot number, type of product,metering calibration, date of filling, quantity of material in thecontainer, quantity of material dispensed including specific rates ofapplication at any given location, and fields treated. These stored datacan be recalled and updated as needed. The stored data can also be usedby a metering controller or pumping system by accessing specificcalibration numbers unique to the container and make needed adjustments,by sounding alarms when reaching certain volume of product in acontainer, or keeping track of usage of the container to allowscheduling of maintenance. The electronically created as-applied recordscan also be provided to various interested parties (e.g., governmentagencies, food purchasers or processors, or consumers) as evidence ofthe products that were applied and the rate at which they were applied,to the field, or to various areas or locales within a field, in whichthe crop was produced.

In one embodiment, after configuration, the operator is able to setproduct and application rate groups. In such an embodiment, there aremultiple groups of rows that are defined by the operator. The mastercontroller and the secondary controllers are configured to control themultiple groups of rows simultaneously. However, it is within thepurview of the invention, in this embodiment, that the operator definesa single group. Different groupings will be discussed below in detail.The operator can define the rates and products for each row.

The material dispensing system features and capabilities, in someembodiments, include:

1) Controls application rate of material under varying operatingconditions. The application rate(s) can be set by the operator from anoperator's console or can be automatically read from the materialcontainer meter unit.

2) Provides actual ground speed information if a ground speed sensor isattached. A typical ground speed sensor includes GPS, wheel rpm andradar. In lieu of a ground speed sensor, a fixed planting speed may beentered and used to calculate the application rate of the productmaterial(s).

3) The system monitors material flow and alerts the operator to no flow,empty container, or blocked flow conditions.

4) The system may monitor and track container material level(s) for eachrow.

5) The system provides control information and data to a non-volatilememory for future downloading.

6) The system monitors the planter to allow product to be applied onlywhen the planter is in the planting position.

A typical usage for this system is:

1) In some embodiments, for a new product container, the metering deviceand memory unit may be attached to the product container by either thecontainer manufacturer or at the container filling site. In otherembodiments, the metering device and memory unit may be attached to theproduct container by the grower.

2) A computer is connected to the metering device and memory unit. (Insome embodiments this might be at the time of filling.) The followinginformation may be electronically stored in the memory device:

-   -   a) Date    -   b) EPA chemical ID numbers    -   c) Container serial number    -   d) Suggested doses, such as ounces per linear row foot for root        worm, or ounces per acre for grubs, etc. These rates are        specified by the manufacturer.    -   e) Meter calibration information, depending on type of metering        device    -   f) Tare weight of the container    -   g) Weight of the full container

3) The product container is sealed and prepared for shipping

4) The user attaches the product container to a dispensing implement,such as planter, sprayer, nurse tank, etc. The main controller receivesthe information from the metering device and memory unit pertaining toproper application rates and prompts the user to pick the desiredrate(s). The row control unit reads the metering device(s) calibrationinformation from the metering device(s) and memory unit(s). Thisinformation is used in combination with commands from the maincontroller to properly control the operation of the metering device(s).The user may enter a field ID number and any other required informationsuch as number of rows, width between rows, etc. The user applies theproduct(s) to the field. The main controller monitors the ground speedand changes the amount(s) being dispensed to keep a constant rate(s) peracre. When the user completes the application to a field, additionalfields may be treated. Field data, including field ID number, croptreated and quantity(ies) applied are recorded in the main controller'snon-volatile memory. This information may also be recorded in themetering device(s) and memory unit for later use by the user, theagrochemical distributor or product supplier.

There may be a group of rows. For example, there may be fourgroups—Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D—designated for a sixteenrow planter. The grouping feature allows the growers (operators) toapply the correct product at different rates for designated rows in oneplanting operation. This example indicates that Group A includes rows1-2 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 1.5 ounce per 1000 feet of row.Group B includes rows 3-8 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 2.5 ounceper 1000 feet of row. Group C includes rows 9-14 with Counter® pesticideat a rate of 2.9 ounce per 1000 feet of row. Group D includes rows 15-16with Counter® pesticide at a rate of 2.3 ounce per 1000 feet of row.

This feature allows the grower to use different or the same product atdifferent rates due to different seed traits on designated rows. Forexample, this feature allows use of a lower rate(s) of product on triplestacked or quad stacked corn seed (root worm traits) on most rows on theplanter but on designated rows the grower may be planting refuge cornseed (non-root worm trait or non GMO corn). This allows the use ofhigher rates of product for the non-traited corn.

In certain embodiments the product release on the seed within a row canbe identified with color or another tracking mechanism such as detectionby size differential. This can provide differential application ofproduct. For example, different colored seed rates or products can beswitched by making the seed sensor color sensitive. Other seedcharacteristics can provide this differentiation such as infrareddetection (by heating the seed), magnetic detection, etc.

The grouping feature discussed above allows the grower to use differentproducts at different rates so he/she can do comparative evaluations tosee which product and rate works best for their farming and productionpractices.

The grouping feature allows the growers to use different products andrates as required by a third party. For example, this feature can beused in seed corn production where the male rows typically receive apartial rate of insecticide.

The grouping feature allows seed corn companies to run different trialsof products and rates on new seed stock production trials to determinewhat rates and products are best for their particular seed. For example,certain parent seed stock may respond (positive or negative) to certaincrop protection products and rates of the products. This groupingfeature allows the research to be accomplished in a timely fashion.

Setting row groups allows the grower to shut off certain rows whilemaintaining flow as needed from the rest of the row units. This savesproduct(s) and money where the product(s) is/are not needed.

In some embodiments the present system for dispensing agriculturalproducts may include a plurality of sets of agricultural productcontainers. Each of the sets of agricultural product containers isassociated with a respective row in the field. Agricultural product fromeach agricultural product container is dispensed in accordance withoperator-defined instructions to the master controller. The instructionsare capable of being provided to the master controller during plantingallowing the dispensing of individual product containers to becontrolled. Command data may be of various types and from various inputsources including, for example, field condition mapping using satellitetelemetry combined with GPS location; previous year yield data input;soil analysis; soil moisture distribution maps; and, topographical maps.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the product containers 130, 131 each have anidentification device 133 that may be positioned in association with aproduct container for providing identification information to a mastercontroller. The identification device 133 is generally affixed to thecontainer 130, 131. The identification device is preferably aradio-frequency identification (RFID) chip for providing identificationinformation to the master controller. In one embodiment the mastercontroller 10 assigns the product container 130, 131 and its operativelyconnected meter device to a specific row. Identification informationtypically includes product name, rate, net weight of the product, etc.Preferably, if the product identification is not for an authorizedproduct then the operatively connected meter device will not operate.Each product container 130, 131 generally includes its own RFID tag 133.

In one embodiment of a planter in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, sixteen sets of agricultural product containers maybe used on a planter, for example side by side. For example, one of thecontainers may have a pesticide such as Aztec® pesticide for controllinginsects. The other container may include, for example, a growthregulator for enhancing plant growth. In other embodiments, one or moreof the containers may include a liquid. Thus, in one embodiment, theremay be multiple meters per row, each meter being operatively connectedto a product container of a set of product containers.

Applying the product directly into the furrow with the seed caneliminate the insecticide dust but still protect the seed. Also, someseed treatments may shorten seed life thereby making it impractical tosave seed for the next year. Also, treating at planting time gives thefarmer flexibility to use different seed treatments besides the seedtreatment that the seed company has applied. Another use is relative tosoil inoculants. Soybeans are inoculated and re-bagged but a highpercentage of the inoculating organisms are dead by planting time.Applying the inoculants or other biologicals to the soil at plantingtime may greatly reduce the amount of product used because they can bestored under better conditions. Farmers have many other choices ofproducts that may be applied at planting and may desire to apply morethan one product with the planter.

Also, split-planter mapping has shown that when two different soilinsecticides are applied at planting time one insecticide may provide adifferent yield response from the other insecticide. This is becausedifferent insecticides work against different insect species. Thepopulation of insects may vary according to soil types and conditions.Corn nematodes are more likely to be in sandy soils and soybeannematodes can vary according to the PH of the soil. Other soil insectpest populations vary according to the amount and type of organicmaterial and soil moisture in the field. If a planter is equipped withdifferent insecticides, they can be applied, by using GPS, to the areawhere they are needed. Planters already have the capability to changehybrids of corn as soil types and characteristics change.

Thus, the planter can be equipped with several different products andapplied as need. Also, the products can be applied several differentways as needed. Product containers can be mounted in several locationson the planter as needed for application. As discussed above, there areseveral different placement options available for placing the productinto or onto the soil. For example, the present invention may include,for example, in-furrow placement and/or banding above the furrow. Asdiscussed, the system can run, for example 48 row units, with differentproducts or rates in each row. Products can be applied together orapplied in different areas. For example, one product can be appliedin-furrow and another placed in a band. Also, sometimes multipleproducts such as seed treatments for disease and inoculants are appliedto seeds at the same time but there is limited time for planting becausethey affect each other and will not be active unless planted within aspecific time. Applying products which are packaged individually duringa single pass of the planter improves operational efficiency and givesthe farmer more flexibility.

Although the figures only show two containers in a set of containers, aset may include numerous product containers. Higher crop prices alsomake multiple treatments more economical. The present invention providesapplication of multiple products to the same row at planting time. Asfuture agricultural science grows more products will become available.The present invention has the capability to apply them at plantingaccording to soil type, insect pressure, soil fertility, and plantrequirements.

In certain embodiments, the effectiveness of soil-applied chemicals canbe increased at planting time by inducing seed and chemical granulesinto the same seed dispensing tube, delivering the chemical products anda seed in close proximity with each other in such a way that thechemical products are dispersed with the seed as the seed passes throughthe seed dispensing tube. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,564, entitled“Method and System for Concentrating Chemical Granules Around a PlantedSeed,” issued to Conrad, et al., discloses a system in which chemicalgranules are dispensed through a granule tube into a seed dispensingtube, where the granule tube is connected to the seed dispensing tube ata location above a lower opening of the seed dispensing tube, and wherethe lower opening of the seed dispensing tube is covered with a brush. Aseed is dispensed through the seed dispensing tube. The brush holdschemical granules within the seed dispensing tube such that chemicalgranules accumulate within the seed dispensing tube, and the brushallows a seed and accumulated chemical granules to pass through thelower opening when the seed is dispensed via the seed dispensing tube.

Thus, precision placement of chemical around the seed can optimizechemical utilization. In certain embodiments the agricultural productmay be dry and in others it may be liquid.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments rigid product containers 130 areused containing low application rate agricultural products. Such rigidproduct containers are designed to maintain product integrity duringshipping and storage. A preferred rigid container is formed ofhigh-density polyethylene (HDPE). The density of high-densitypolyethylene can range from about 0.93 to 0.97 grams/centimeter³. Anexample of a suitable rigid container is high density polyethyleneformed of Mobil™ HYA-21 HDPE or equivalent material. It preferably has awall thickness of between about 0.17 to 0.28 inches.

For low rate products, when the weight of the inert ingredients (i.e.carrier) is lowered while the weight of the active ingredients ismaintained approximately constant, then the consistency is maintainedwithin control parameters and pest damage is also maintained withinacceptable parameters.

Granules used as carriers may include, for example, the following:

Amorphous silica—bulk density in a range from about 0.160 to 0.335 g/mL,

Biodac® carrier—bulk density in a range from about 0.64 to 0.79 g/mL,

Clay—bulk density in a range from about 0.40 to 1.12 g/mL,

Sand—bulk density in a range from about 1.6 to 2.1 g/mL.

Granules loaded with chemicals will typically have a bulk densitygreater than the above values by about 10 to 30%.

A typical clay granule weighs from about 0.07 to 0.09 mg. A typicalBiodac® granule weighs around 0.2 mg. A silica granule weighs fromaround 0.02 mg to 0.05 mg. A sand granule can weigh up to about 5 mg(coarse).

One example of a granule used as a carrier has a bulk density of 0.866g/mL, an average granule size of 510 microns and an average granuleweight of 0.082 mg.

The agricultural products may be insecticides or a wide variety of othercrop enhancement agricultural products such as fungicides, plant growthregulators (PGRs), micro-nutrients, etc.

Most current meter designs for dry/granular products have a moving rotorin them that acts as a shut off device and is constantly spinning theproduct inside the insecticide hopper. As the application rate isreduced the percentage of granules that are ground up, relative to thetotal quantity of product being applied is affected, and therefore theapplication rate is affected. If a low application rate is used themeter orifice may be smaller than the free flow rate for the granulesand will result in more grinding and an uneven product flow. Also, atturnoff, the meter paddle forms a pool of product around the orificethat flows out as the planter turns around at end rows. John Deere &Company and Kinze Manufacturing have made modifications to reduce thiseffect at rates in use today but these modifications would not beeffective at the low application rate indicated here.

In one embodiment, the low application rate meter devices 132 havelarger orifices than previous conventional meter devices so they canfree flow at lower rates. Preferably, the orifice diameter is in a rangeof 0.20 inch to 0.50 inch. An example of such a low application ratemeter device is embodied in the SmartBox Dispensing System which has anorifice diameter of 0.25 inch to 0.50 inch depending on the rate of theproduct used. The orifice diameter must be large enough to deliver morethan the free flow of the intended product. The pulsing of the meter isone way to regulate the application rate of the product.

In industry today it is very common to use a seed treatment. Fungicideor an insecticide is used to treat the seed and its amount is limited tothat which can be applied to the outside of the seed. Conventionaldispensing systems are generally held by this limitation of applyingproduct on the outside of the seed as a coating. However, if product canbe applied in the furrow there can be substantial advantages. Thepresent invention provides these advantages. In this embodiment,agricultural products are not applied directly onto the seed itself as aseed treatment. Instead they are applied in the zone of the seed, i.e.in the furrow. The present inventive features provide the ability toprovide this placement. The seed itself is not required to be treated.Instead, the soil is treated. Use of seed coatings result in equipmentproblems, germination problems/complications, reduced seed viability,length of seed storage issues, etc. With the present inventionminimization of seed as a carrier is provided. Many more options areprovided to the farmer obviating issues regarding storing the seed fromyear to year.

Although the system for dispensing agricultural products at a low rateof the present invention has been discussed relative to its placement ona planter row unit, the system can be positioned on a planter off of therow unit. It can be placed on another part of the frame of the planterdue to, for example space restrictions, preventing it from being placeddirectly on the planter row unit.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an example display (i.e., user interfacescreen) for a controller for pulsing the liquid valve 48 and the airvalve 36 is illustrated, designated generally as 174. The display 174can be part of the in cab monitor 50 or a stand alone controller. Ontime is the time the valve is applying product each time the valve istriggered. Off time is how long the valve is off when running in thecheck or calibration by pushing the “Start/Stop” Button. The Start/Stopbutton runs the valve without a seed signal according to the on and offtime settings. This is used for timing and marking the pulse locationfor the physical setup when the planter is ran in the stationary mode(i.e. still in the shop). If the operator marks where the seed hits thebottom of the furrow he can line up where the agricultural product isapplied in relation to the seed. Due to the low rates, multiple pulsesare needed to get enough volume to see where the agricultural product isapplied. While in the “Burst mode” the operator can put multiple spotsdown rather than a continuous strip. For example, the operator can pulsein multiple bursts adjusted by one millisecond timing on and offaccording to the on/off settings in a 2 inch strip. The result is stilla continuous line of treatment but in multiple bursts. The multiplebursts are triggered by the seed. The cycle setting determines how manytimes the valves fires On/Off during when the seed triggering of thevalve to fire. In other if the cycle time is set for 2 cycles, the valvewill go on, then off, go on, then off.

The liquid input supply can come from any liquid supply system. Thesettings on the supply controller can be set for the ounces per acre.Then the supply controller can maintain the flow as the speed changes.Normally with a common fixed orifice spray type tip the spray pressurehas to increase about 4 to 1 to double the flow. Technologies are nowknown to increase the flow range without as much pressure change. One isa new sprayer tip with a flexible orifice. It is made of a flexiblematerial that the orifice opening expands as the pressure increases. Itis similar to a rubber nipple on a baby bottle. The other possibility ismodifying a common sprayer check valve. The standard check valve is juston/off and designed not to affect the flow control of the spray tip.Using a modified design of the standard type gas/liquid pressureregulator we can replace the ball in the check valve with a cone shapedneedle held in place by a spring. As the pressure increase the flowincreases without a large pressure increase. This modification caneither be a standalone added device in supply line or incorporated intothe variable rate flow tip.

Using the techniques above:

1. High speed pulsing within the target area

2. Flexible orifice

3. Modified check valve spray tip

Various methods may be utilized to increase the range of ounce per acrewithout large increases supply pressure.

In some embodiments a common signal can fire multiple valvessimultaneously.

Information from a closed delivery container's RFID tag may be combinedwith the application equipment's spatial positioning information tocreate and store, on a memory device that is separate and distinct fromthe container's RFID Tag, a geo-referenced record that indicatesprecisely where and/or when product from the container was dispensed andapplied.

An automatically generated electronic record that indicates preciselywhere product from an RFID-tagged container was applied eliminates, forthe user, the requirement to record by hand the application informationassociated with product which was dispensed from the RFID-taggedcontainer, while also eliminating the potential for human errorassociated with hand-written or hand-entered notes or records.

An automatically generated electronic record that indicates preciselywhich product, the quantity of product, and the location at whichproduct was dispensed from an RFID-tagged container ensures that allproduct applied from such containers is recorded in a uniformlyconsistent manner. Because the information that identifies the appliedproduct will come from the coded information on the container's RFIDtag, all product that is applied from containers with that same code maybe recorded using information that is recorded in the same format. Suchuniformity of data makes it easier, faster, and more accurate toaggregate and analyze application data from multiple containers, users,and locations. Accurate and cost-effective analysis of aggregated dataenables better and more precise use-recommendations for futureapplication of the same product.

The system may update various “as applied” data in the tag in additionto the product quantity data as the product is being dispensed from thecartridge. The as-applied data may, for example, include any one or moreof the following, in any combination:

-   -   an identifier of the product being dispensed by the cartridge;    -   the rate at which the product is being dispensed by the        cartridge;    -   the current location of the cartridge; and    -   the current time.

Any of the data disclosed herein, such as the as-applied data, mayinclude one or more timestamps indicating one or more times associatedwith the data, such as a time at which the data was captured, created,or transmitted. Similarly, any of the data disclosed herein, such as theas-applied data, may include geographic information, such as geographiccoordinates indicating a location associated with the data, such as alocation at which the data was captured, created, or transmitted. Anysuch geographic information may, for example, be obtained automatically,such as by using GPS technology. The system may, for example, include aGPS module (not shown), such as described by Wintemute et al. in U.S.Patent Application Pub. No. 2017/0265374A1, for example, which generatesoutput representing a current location of the system. Time may also beprovided remotely such as via the GPS signal or through a separate clockor other time-keeping device. The system may use the output of such aGPS module to generate and store any of the location data disclosedherein. Embodiments of the present invention may correlate various datawith each other using any of the timestamps and/or geographicinformation disclosed herein. For example, any two units of data havingthe same or similar timestamp may be correlated with each other.Similarly, any two units of data having the same or similar geographiclocation may be correlated with each other.

One reason to transmit and store the as-applied data over time is toenable the server to create an “as-applied map” of the product as it isactually applied to the field over time. The system may, for example,apply the product based on pre-selected data represented by aprescriptive map, which indicates the amount of the product that isintended to be applied at each of a variety of locations in the field.An as-applied map, and a prescriptive map are described below. Thesystem may then vary the rate at which the product is applied atdifferent locations in the field, in an attempt to apply, at each suchlocation, the amount of the product that the prescriptive map specifiesshould be applied at that location. The actual amount of the productthat the system applies at any particular location in the field may,however, deviate from the amount that the prescriptive map indicatesshould be applied. The system may use the measurements of the actualamounts of the product that were applied at various locations in thefield to create an as-applied map for the product. The system may thencompare the prescriptive map to the as-applied map to identify anyvariations between the amount of the product that was prescribed to beapplied at each of a plurality of locations and the amount of theproduct that was actually applied at each of those locations.

One advantage of the techniques disclosed above for tracking changes inuse of product stored in each cartridge, such as changes in the quantityof the product over time, is that these techniques may be performed inreal-time, i.e., while quantities of the product are being added toand/or dispensed from the cartridge. The term “real-time,” as usedherein in connection with tracking changing quantities of the product,refers to tracking such changes and repeatedly updating the tagaccordingly, at repeated intervals without a substantial delay betweenthe change in the quantity or other use parameter of the product and theresulting update(s) to the corresponding product use data in the tag(e.g., the product quantity data and/or the product type data).

Another advantage of the techniques disclosed above for tracking changesin the quantity of the product over time is that these techniques may beperformed automatically, i.e., without human intervention. For example,existing systems typically require the human operator of a tractor orplanter to manually record the amount of product that has been appliedto a field. This manual process has a variety of drawbacks. For example,manual recording of product application is prone to error for a varietyof reasons, such as the difficulty of manually measuring the amount ofproduct that has been dispensed and limitations in the operator'smemory. As another example, manual recording of product application isprone to intentional fraud. As yet another example, manual recording canrequire a significant amount of effort, which may result in delays inthe recording process. Embodiments of the present invention address allof these problems. For example, embodiments of the present invention maytrack changes in the product in the cartridge (such as changes in thetype of the product, increases in the quantity of the product, anddecreases in the quantity of the product) automatically, i.e., withoutrequiring manual human input. Such automatic tracking may be performed,for example, in the operation of filling the cartridge), the operationof updating the tag as the product is being dispensed, and the operationof updating the as-applied data. This automatic tracking eliminates theneed for the human operator to perform tracking manually and therebyavoids all of the problems of manual tracking described above.Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may even prohibit thehuman operator from manually recording or modifyingautomatically-recorded information (such as the product quantity data,product type data, cartridge ID, and as-applied data), thereby botheliminating the risk of inadvertent human error and the risk ofintentional fraud.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may track and recordproduct-related data both automatically and in real-time. Thiscombination of features enables changes in the type and quantity of theproduct to be tracked more quickly, easily, and reliably than existingsystems which rely on manual human input. For example, by automaticallymonitoring the rates at which the product is applied in variouslocations over time, by tying such information to the ID of thecartridge that dispensed the product, and by transmitting all such datato the server for storage in the measurement data, embodiments of thepresent invention may create an as-applied map of the product asactually applied to the field, all without the involvement of theoperator or farmer. Such capabilities provide real inventory managementbenefits to the manufacturers of the product and to the supply chainbetween the manufacturer and the end user of the cartridge. Furthermore,these features eliminate the burden of having to store the as-applieddata locally (e.g., in a flash drive or other physical medium) and thento physically transport it to a computer, by enabling the as-applieddata to be transmitted wirelessly, automatically, and in real-time tothe server.

The ability to generate an as-applied map automatically enables theagricultural products that were applied to specific crops to be trackedwithout being dependent on manual reporting from farmers for veracity oraccuracy. This ability to track which products were applied toindividual crops, independently of farmer reporting, is particularlyuseful for satisfying demands from consumers to know which products wereapplied to the foods they purchase and for satisfying the need ofregulatory agencies and food processors to obtain access tofield-specific agricultural product use.

The retailer invoices the farmer for the amount of product used by thefarmer from the cartridge. This invoicing process may be performed inany of a variety of ways. For example, the cartridge interface devicemay include a product use determination module. In general, the productuse determination module may determine the amount of product that wasused by the farmer (e.g., the amount of product that was dispensed fromthe cartridge and/or the total area or rows in fields treated with theproduct) since the cartridge was acquired by the farmer, since thecartridge was last filled, or since the farmer was last invoiced for useof the product and/or cartridge. The product use determination modulemay product an output signal representing this amount of the productused.

The product use determination module may produce the product use amountsignal in any of a variety of ways. For example, the tag reader mayproduce, based on the data read by the tag reader from the tag, a readdata signal representing some or all of the data read by the tag readerfrom the tag. The read data signal may, for example, represent all dataread by the tag reader from the tag. If the read data already includesdata representing an amount of the product used by the farmer, then theproduct use determination module may identify this amount in the readdata signal and output that amount in the product use amount signal. Asanother example, if the read data signal includes data representing aprevious amount of the product in the cartridge (e.g., the amount of theproduct that was contained in the cartridge when the farmer previouslyobtained or filled the cartridge with the product) and data representingthe current amount of the product in the cartridge, then the product usedetermination module may calculate the difference between these twoamounts and output the resulting difference (e.g., current amount minusprevious amount) in the product use amount signal.

The product use determination module may calculate an invoice amountbased on the identified amount of the product used, in any of a varietyof ways, and output an invoice amount signal representing the calculatedinvoice amount. For example, the product use determination module mayidentify a unit price of the product (e.g., price per unit of volume,mass, length of rows treated, and/or areas of fields treated) andmultiply the unit price by the amount (e.g., volume, mass, length orarea) of product used (represented by the product use amount signal) toproduce a product representing the invoice amount, which the product usedetermination module may include in the invoice amount signal.

The product use determination module may identify the unit price of theproduct in any of a variety of ways. For example, the product usedetermination module may identify the type of the product, such as byidentifying the type of the product based on the product type data, asread by the tag reader from the tag and included in the read data. Theproduct use determination module may identify the unit price of theproduct based on the type of the product, such as using the product typeto look up a corresponding unit price in a mapping (e.g., databasetable) of product types to unit prices.

Regardless of how the amount of product actually used is calculated,charging the farmer only for the amount of the product that the farmeractually used may both reduce the cost of each cartridge use for thefarmer and encourage the farmer to use the cartridge because of theknowledge that the price the farmer will pay for the cartridge will belimited by the amount of the product that the farmer actually uses.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs),General Purpose Processors (GPPs), Microcontroller Units (MCUs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software/and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one skilled in the art in light ofthis disclosure.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that themechanisms of some of the subject matter described herein may be capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunication link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.).

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devisedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for dispensing multiple low rateagricultural products, comprising: a multiple low rate agricultural(MLRA) product application device configured to cooperate with aplanting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed beingdischarged from high speed planting equipment, wherein each MLRA productapplication device comprises a common housing for a plurality of lowrate agricultural product input assemblies for dispensing cropenhancement agricultural products in furrow.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein each MLRA product application device comprises said commonhousing is for a liquid agricultural product input assembly and a dry,flowable agricultural product input assembly.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein each MLRA product application device, comprises: a) said commonhousing; and, b) a plurality of low rate agricultural product inputassemblies having exit ports supported by said common housing.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein each MLRA product application device,comprises: a) said common housing comprising at least one plate; and, b)a plurality of low rate agricultural product input assemblies havingexit sections supported by said common housing.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein each MLRA product application device, comprises: a) saidcommon housing comprising two plates securely supported in a spacedapart position; and, b) a plurality of low rate agricultural productinput assemblies having exit sections supported by said common housing,between said two plates.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each MLRAproduct application device, comprises: a) said common housing includinga plurality of mounting holes; and, b) a plurality of low rateagricultural product input assemblies having exit sections supported bysaid common housing, wherein said mounting holes provide adjustment ofsaid low rate agricultural product input assemblies for desiredprescriptive discharge.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each MLRAproduct application device comprises said common housing for a pluralityof low rate agricultural product input assemblies, wherein a first ofsaid plurality of low rate agricultural product input assembliescomprises a liquid agricultural product input assembly comprising aliquid agricultural product input line; and, a second of said low rateagricultural product input assemblies comprises a dry, flowableagricultural product input assembly comprising a dry, flowableagricultural product input line.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein saiddry, flowable agricultural product input assembly comprises: a) saiddry, flowable agricultural product input line; b) an air line/wirecomponent connectable to an air source; c) an air valve operativelyconnected to said air line/wire component; d) a combination sectionpositioned to receive dry, flowable agricultural product from said dry,flowable agricultural product input line and air from said air valve,said combination section configured to receive the dry, flowableagricultural product and hold said dry, flowable agricultural productuntil said air from said air valve discharges the dry, flowableagricultural product; e) a combined dry, flowable/air outlet sectionconnected to said combination section and configured to discharge thedry, flowable agricultural product.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinsaid combined dry, flowable/air outlet section further comprises anoptional discharge port assembly configured to provide desired angularadjustments of a placement of said dry, flowable agricultural product.10. The system of claim 7, wherein said liquid agricultural productinput assembly comprises: a) said liquid agricultural product inputline; b) a liquid line/wire component connectable to a liquid source;and, c) a liquid valve operatively connected to said liquid line/wirecomponent for regulating a discharge of said liquid agriculturalproduct.
 11. The system of claim 1, further including said plantingequipment monitor assembly, comprising: a) an in-cab monitor including aseed status light; b) a planter assembly control module operativelyconnected to said in-cab monitor, for interfacing input signals fromplanter sensors; and, c) connection means operatively connected to saidplanter assembly control module and said planter sensors.
 12. The systemof claim 1, further including said planting equipment monitor assembly,comprising: a) a control module including a seed status light; and, b)connection means for operatively connecting the control module withplanter functions.
 13. The system of claim 1, further including saidplanting equipment monitor assembly, comprising: a) a seed tubeintegrated unit including a seed status light; b) a control moduleoperatively connected to said seed tube integrated unit, for interfacinginput signals from planter sensors and for controlling planterfunctions; and, c) connection means for operatively connecting thecontrol module and said planter sensors.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein said multiple low rate agricultural product application deviceis configured to dispense dry, flowable agricultural products at anapplication rate being defined as a rate below 3 ounces per 1000 feet ofrow.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiple low rateagricultural product application device is configured to dispense liquidagricultural products at an application rate being defined as a ratebelow 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.
 16. The system of claim 1,wherein each MLRA product application device comprises a low rateagricultural product input assembly including a placement tube assemblymounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of aplanter for placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheelsthereof; and, wherein each of the placement tube assemblies includes anelongated placement tube arranged so that it descends from a portion ofa frame of the planter behind the depth wheels to between the depthwheels.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein each MLRA product applicationdevice comprises a low rate agricultural product input assemblyincluding a placement tube assembly mounted between opening discs anddepth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of a planter forplacement of product in-furrow between the opening discs and the depthwheels thereof; and, wherein each of the placement tube assembliesincludes an elongated placement tube arranged so that it descends from aportion of a frame of the planter behind the depth wheels to between theopening discs and the depth wheels.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein:an agricultural product metering system is operably connected to saidMLRA product application device, said agricultural product meteringsystem comprising a syringe-based pump system.
 19. A method fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, comprising:utilizing a multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product applicationdevice configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitorassembly positioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speedplanting equipment, wherein each MLRA product application devicecomprises a common housing for a plurality of low rate agriculturalproduct input assemblies for dispensing crop enhancement agriculturalproducts in furrow.